Stokes set to miss Lords Test against India

English all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the Lord’s Test against India in August to stand trial on charges of affray at Bristol Crown Court.

Stokes, who appeared at a hearing on Monday (March 12) via video link from New Zealand, where he is currently playing with England, pleaded not-guilty to the charges as did two other men, Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, who appeared in person at Bristol Crown Court.A trial date of August 6 was set, with proceedings expected to last between five and seven days, which means Stokes will miss the second Test against India at Lord’s which begins on August 9.

The court case relates to an alleged incident outside a nightclub in Bristol during the one-day series against West Indies last September. A 27 year-old man allegedly suffered a broken eye socket in the incident.

Stokes is set to resume his Test career next week in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland and following the second and final match of that series in Christchurch, Stokes will head to India to play for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.